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Register now for the U.S. Department of Energy’s annual Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit taking place May 17-20, 2021. This engaging, interactive virtual symposium brings together energy, finance, and sustainability professionals in the commercial, public, industrial, and residential building sectors. Industry leaders who partner with DOE will share their insights, expertise, and approaches for achieving organizational goals around energy efficiency, resilience, workforce development, low-carbon targets, and more. Attendees can choose from 40 interactive sessions led by partners from across the U.S. economy and different end-use sectors. The Summit plenaries will highlight the latest program-wide achievements with a look forward. Other popular sessions include a roundtable with leadership at DOE’s National Labs talking about the latest in emerging technologies as well as special events including Ask-an-Expert, a spotlight on green leasing, and virtual building tours. The 2021 Summit is free to attend. Visit here to learn more and register.

The National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) is launching a nationwide awareness initiative aimed at training state lawmakers and their staff in all 50 states on best practices in cybersecurity. The initiative, Cybersecurity for State Leaders, is supported by Google, and will include live virtual forums and interactive, on-demand workshops nationwide. Cybersecurity for State Leaders launches with the bipartisan signing of the initiative’s Cyber Charter by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R-OH) and Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D-CO). This nonpartisan training curriculum will prepare lawmakers and statehouse staff to be vigilant against cyber threats by offering a deep dive into: the ecosystem of cybersecurity, common types of cyber attacks, how and why cyber attacks work, and best practices on how to protect individuals against cyber threats. By signing the charter, Secretary LaRose and Secretary Griswold commit to promoting a stronger culture of cybersecurity awareness in their offices and throughout their state and to be ambassadors for Cybersecurity for State Leaders. READ MORE>>>

Space Weather Workshop is an annual conference that brings industry, academia, and government agencies together in a lively dialog about space weather. What began in 1996 as a conference for the space weather user community, Space Weather Workshop has evolved into the Nation's leading conference on all issues relating to space weather. Registration deadline April 9, 2021 (free, all virtual this year) The conference addresses the remarkably diverse impacts of space weather on today's technology. The program highlights space weather impacts in several areas, including communications, navigation, spacecraft operations, aviation, and electric power. The workshop will also focus on the highest priority needs for operational services that can guide future research and new high-value capabilities that can be transitioned into operations. The conference fosters communication among researchers, space weather service providers, and users of space weather services. See the agenda and details>>> Space Weather Workshop is organized by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS), along with a community-based organizing committee and co-sponsored by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the NSF Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, and the NASA Heliophysics Division. The Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS—pronounced: see-pass) is a UCAR Community Programs (UCP) division at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Our administrative office is located in Boulder, Colorado, USA. CPAESS was created in February 2016, from the merger of two long-established and successful programs: the Joint Office for Science Support (JOSS) and the Visiting Scientists Programs (VSP). CPAESS is providing an extensive portfolio of organization and management services for the broad Earth system science community.

Stefanie Tompkins, vice president for research and technology transfer at Colorado School of Mines, has been appointed director of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The advanced technology branch of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA’s mission is to develop breakthrough technologies and capabilities for national security. The agency announced her appointment on March 15. Tompkins, who joined Colorado School of Mines in February 2018, oversaw all research activity and served as the public face of the university’s diverse research portfolio. "I cannot think of anyone better suited to lead a federal R&D agency as innovative and entrepreneurial as DARPA," said Mines President Paul C. Johnson. "Dr. Tompkins is a hands-on, highly engaged and visionary leader who genuinely enjoys helping others advance their ideas and innovations. During her tenure, Mines has expanded the scope, scale and impact of its research, and built solid partnerships with industry, U.S. and international universities, and government agencies and labs. These successes reflect Dr. Tompkins' extraordinary skills as an administrator, bridge builder and partner. Like my colleagues across campus, I am thrilled for Stefanie and DARPA, and am going to miss her." “I am honored to serve as director of DARPA,” Tompkins said. “It will be difficult to leave Mines, but my time here has helped prepare me for a number of national challenges, such as critical mineral supply chains, about which I knew little when I first arrived. I also have a much deeper understanding of academia’s role in the national security research ecosystem, and look forward to renewed engagement with the many universities working on DARPA programs.” Read More>>>

Twenty-three middle-school girls from the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado, have logged on to their school tablets and laptops for a special kind of class on a frigid February afternoon: an introduction to coding — a new experience for some of them — and to learn what a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) looks like for women. NIST scientists Tara Fortier (top left), Marla Dowell (top right), Diana Ortiz-Montalvo (bottom left) and Jeanita Pritchett (bottom right) share their advice and experiences as women in science at the virtual YWCA Boulder County Code Jam event. Credit: A. Lane, R. Jacobson/NIST And today they have help from scientists at the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, including Boulder Laboratory Director Marla Dowell, who oversees communications technology research and serves as the scientific director for the entire campus. Looking at the girls signed on to the YWCA Boulder County video call, Dowell saw herself at that age — curious, eager to learn, but hesitant to speak up in science class. She and her fellow NIST panelists are here to encourage them to try. “I was just like you,” she told them. “Just try.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM professions are among the fastest growing occupations in the American economy. However, women — especially women of color — are still underrepresented in science and engineering jobs, making up only 29% of those professions in 2017. That gap is particularly pronounced in computer and mathematical sciences. As the computer sciences workforce grew at the turn of the millennium, the percentage of women working in that field dropped from 31% to 25% between 1993 and 2010. That diversity gap ultimately means that STEM employers are working with a limited talent pool, and missing out on new ideas, perspectives and people, Dowell pointed out. “To hire the best people, you need a talent pool that is representative of the entire U.S. population, not one that is dominated by one demographic,” she said. “Creating open, transparent and inclusive learning and work environments will help us grow a diverse STEM talent pool.” And that gap forms early; as early as seventh grade, girls begin saying they’re not good at math, said Debbie Pope, CEO of YWCA Boulder County. Read more>>>

ARPA-E will host the 11th ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit virtually, May 24 – 27, 2021. The Summit convenes the best minds in innovation, business, academia, and government to advance cutting-edge technologies and facilitate relationships to move technologies to market. Check out the video invitation from new Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm! The ARPA-E Summit brings together top minds from industry, investment, academia, and government to discuss some of the toughest challenges facing the energy community. The 2021 Summit’s theme is “Expanding American Energy Innovation,” a nod to both the agency’s research and development mission and its goal to grow the energy innovation community. The virtual event will combine the most popular elements from past Summits with new ways to stay connected. The 2021 Summit’s robust virtual event platform will bring cutting-edge technology, networking opportunities, and conversations regarding the future of energy technology to you, wherever you may be. The event will include live speakers, technology demonstrations, real-time networking, and plenty more. 2021 Summit attendees can expect: -- Technology Showcase featuring 300+ next-generation energy technologies -- Live demonstrations of select technologies -- Networking opportunities, including the Government Agency Networking Program (GANP) -- Breakout panels that highlight technical and commercial opportunities -- Exciting keynotes from industry leaders and luminaries on the future of energy technology To register, go to https://www.arpae-summit.com

This House Science, Space and Technology Committee Hearing on March 17 "Rebuilding the Federal Scientific Workforce" was important and will hopefully lead to resources to help our scientific enterprise. Witnesses include: Ms. Candice Wright, Acting Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, U.S. Government Accountability Office Mr. Max Stier, President and CEO, Partnership for Public Service Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, Director of the Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists Dr. Betsy Southerland, Former Director of Science and Technology, Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency See more links and details on the hearing here. Follow more Congressional activities of CO-LABS interest on our Congressional Updates page.

Friday, March 12, 2021: The expected snowstorm for the weekend of March 12 - 14, 2021 in Colorado has been in the news for a week with increasingly nuanced forecasting about the amount and location of very heavy snowfall. How do atmospheric scientists and meterologists make these forecasts? How do they really know what is going to happen? CO-LABS hosted a Quick Flash update to hear from an expert at the National Weather Service's Boulder, CO. office. Paul Schlatter is the Science and Operations Officer at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Boulder. Paul has been with the NWS for 18 years, the last 5 at the Boulder office. He is a Boulder, CO native, a graduate of Fairview High School, and the son of a retired PhD meteorologist that worked at both NCAR and NOAA. He has also worked at NWS headquarters in Maryland as the Chief of Staff of the NWS. Paul described how the NWS makes forecasts for storms many days in advance. He discussed the tools and technology they use, decisions they make with changing and updated information, and how they connect those actions/decisions to decision makers and the public. (Note this was recorded around 1:30pm on Friday, March 12, 2021.) A highlight was learning the options for "citizen scientists" to contribute info on storms online and by phone, which remains an important part of weather research. Check out how to send reports from your location via the MPing app, and much more. You'll get insight to very sophisticated modeling tools such as the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model and the Maintenance Decision Support System.created by the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Antonio J. Busalacchi, an expert in Earth’s climate system and experienced scientific administrator, has been named to a second five-year term as president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). The UCAR Board of Trustees approved Busalacchi’s renewal based on his record of steady leadership and vision. Under Busalacchi’s leadership, UCAR in 2018 signed an agreement with the National Science Foundation to continue its management of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). More recently, Busalacchi has guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up telework procedures to ensure the health and safety of employees while successfully maintaining staff productivity. “All of us on the Board of Trustees have been very impressed by Tony’s focused leadership and laudable record of achievements, especially in such challenging times,” said Susan Avery, the chair of the board. “I am looking forward to the next five years as UCAR further strengthens its partnerships and continues its leadership role in advancing Earth system science for the betterment of society.” Since taking the helm of UCAR in 2016, Busalacchi hired NCAR director Everette Joseph; modernized UCAR operating practices and hired a chief operating officer, Lory Wingate; established the UCAR Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under Carolyn Brinkworth; and increased the visibility of UCAR among national policy makers. He also oversaw the development of UCAR’s 10-year strategic plan that emphasizes partnerships, innovation, and service to advance Earth system science for a better world. During Busalacchi's time as president, the number of UCAR member colleges and universities has reached 120, an increase of 10%, thereby strengthening the organization’s engagement in areas such as hydrology and oceanography, and with minority-serving institutions. (Dr. Busalacchi is also CO-LABS Board Director) “I am deeply honored by the support and confidence of the Board of Trustees, as well as from the university community and NSF,” Busalacchi said. “I look forward to furthering our efforts to better understand the Earth system and working with federal agencies in the Biden administration such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Energy, as well as the university community and private sector, to provide meaningful benefits for humanity.” Read more about Dr. Busalacchi and UCAR>>>

The Intermountain West Climate Dashboard is produced by the Western Water Assessment (WWA) team, which is comprised of researchers in multiple disciplines—climatology, hydrology, ecology, social sciences, and law—at the University of Colorado-Boulder and several other institutions in the region. The February climate briefing, excerpted below, summarizes recent temperatures and precipitation, snowpack and drought conditions, forecasted spring-summer streamflows, ENSO and climate outlooks and significant monthly climate events. Read more>>> The Dashboard provides situational awareness of climate, drought, and water resources for Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico as part of the NIDIS Intermountain West Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) Also visit the Rocky Mountain–High Plains Climate Dashboard for CO, WY, MT, ND, SD, NE, KS. More about the WWA: The WWA is part of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Our primary source of funding is NOAA’s Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) Program, and we are one of 10 RISA teams operating across the U.S. In addition to conducting research projects, we produce synthesis and assessment products to make existing knowledge more accessible to stakeholders, such as the 2020 WWA report Colorado River Basin Climate and Hydrology: State of the Science. WWA also makes accessible real-time climate information in our Intermountain West Climate Dashboard and other products. In providing useful products for our stakeholders in our region, we also serve to prototype, for NOAA, the delivery of regional climate services.

Get this - Ball Aerospace's Roman Space Telescope is designed to unravel the secrets of dark energy, search for and image exoplanets, and explore many topics in infrared astrophysics. While its 2.4m telescope is the same size as Hubble’s, the WFI enables a field of view 100 times greater than Hubble’s at the same resolution. Ball Aerospace, partnered with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, successfully completed the critical design review of the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), which will be the primary science instrument on NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, formerly known as the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). READ MORE>>> “Now that we have passed this critical milestone, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with NASA as we move from the design phase and into building and integrating the instrument.” said Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, vice president and general manager, Civil Space, Ball Aerospace. “It’s always exciting to get to the hardware build, and particularly in this case as WFI is the central science instrument on Roman.” Ball and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center are working in a close partnership to develop the WFI. Ball’s primary responsibility is the Opto-Mechanical Assembly, which includes the optical bench, thermal control system, precision mechanisms, optics, electronics, and the relative calibration system that provide the stable structural and thermal environment necessary for wide field, high-quality, infrared observations. Ball will integrate the Goddard-provided 302-megapixel focal plane subsystem into the instrument and host instrument level verification and environmental testing.

CO-LABS has compiled a list of relevant Congressional Committees and Subcommittees that are a source of politcal debate, formal hearings and deep policy dicussions that affect the budgets and priority activities of the entire CO-LABS ecosystem. "The scope of topics discussed by our elected Representatives and Senators has direct impact on the work of the federal research labs in Colorado," says CO-LABS Executive Director Dan Powers. "The recent Biden Adminstration Executive Orders are influencing the hearings adn new bills being debated by numerous Committees, and it is savvy for the CO-LABS network of academics, technology experts and private sector economic development experts to follow where Congress is directing federal agencies and their research labs to focus their research. This often includes new and/or re-focused funding streams for labs to address crucial national priorities AND fund partnerships with private sector and academic technology of all kinds." The report also lists all the Colorado delegation members that are on relevant Committees. Download the 2021 Congressional Committees of Relevance report>>> Follow the upcoming hearings and announcments from Colorado's elected federal offcials on our the Congressional Updates webpage.